We’re proud to once again be supporting Dementia Action Week in Barnsley, joining organisations across our borough next week in encouraging people to act on dementia.

Taking place from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 May, lots of fantastic events are planned to showcase the support available to people living with dementia, their carers and their families.

Some of this year’s highlights include:

• On Monday 15 May, our Barnsley Third Sector Dementia Alliance will be hosting a special ‘Supporting Memories’ event at Shaw Lane Sports Club. Join us from 12pm to 2pm to learn more about our borough’s brilliant support services and have a friendly chat with an adviser if you’re concerned about memory loss.
• On Tuesday 16 May, Barnsley Hospital will be hosting an interactive drop-in event at Colliers Restaurant. Pop along between 9am and 12pm to speak with their Dementia Admiral Nurse and services supporting people in your community.
• On Tuesday 16 May, Barnsley Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society will be hosting a bookable Dementia Action Week information session at The Orangery. If you’re worried about memory loss and want to know what to do next, please book your place by calling the Alzheimer’s Society on 01226 296301.
• On Tuesday 16 May, we will be launching Music and Memories at the Library @ the Lightbox. Join us from 2pm to 3.30pm to learn more about this fantastic resource for people living with dementia and sing along to classic songs.

Our Dementia and Me partners will be hosting a wide range of informative and fun sessions throughout the week, including Age UK Barnsley, Barnsley Carers Service, BIADS, Butterflies Dementia Support, Crossroads Caring for Carers and the NHS.

We will also be hosting Dementia Action Week drop-in sessions throughout the week at our libraries. Join us to have your questions answered about dementia, learn more about the support available in your community, including your local library, and get a free blood pressure check thanks to our How’s Thi Ticker campaign.

You can learn more about everything that’s planned and book your place at events by visiting our Dementia Friendly Barnsley webpage.

A central hub for information from our Dementia and Me Barnsley partner organisations, the webpage is a great way to learn more about the support available in your local area.

Dementia Action Week is an annual awareness campaign organised by the Alzheimer’s Society to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’. This year’s theme is ‘It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill’.

We all forget things from time to time, but if memory loss is affecting your daily life, it’s a good idea to seek help, which is usually a phone call or click away.

Barnsley’s Memory Service offers assessments, reviews and support for anyone in our borough who’s experiencing memory issues. Ran by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, you can learn more about the service on their website.

If you’re concerned about your memory or that of a loved one, please speak with your GP or pop along to next week’s ‘Supporting Memories’ event.

Wendy Lowder, Executive Director of Place Health and Adult Social Care, said: “With estimates showing that over 3,000 people aged 65 and over are living with dementia in Barnsley, it’s really important we make sure they can get the support they need when they need it, as well as their families and carers.

“I’m delighted to see organisations across our borough once again coming together to support Dementia Action Week, showcasing the great support we have on offer in Barnsley. While getting a dementia diagnosis can be daunting, our Dementia and Me Barnsley partnership can help you, your loved ones and your carers to continue living well.

“Join us next week and learn more about the support on offer in your community.”

For more information on the ways we can all reduce the risk of developing some forms of dementia and the support available locally, please visit our dementia webpage.

This year’s Dementia Action Week will be running alongside Creativity and Wellbeing Week, celebrating the benefits of creativity and culture on health and wellbeing.

Being creative is great for your health in many ways, including helping you learn new skills, improving your mood and building community connections.

There are lots of exciting and inspiring activities planned as part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week, giving you the opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself.

Find out what’s planned and express your creative side by visiting our Creativity and Wellbeing Week webpage.